AISD Board of Trustees vote to keep Paul Cruz as superintendent

AUSTIN - Austin Independent School District Superintendent Paul Cruz's three-year contract deal won't end with him seeking employment elsewhere. In fact, the board meeting Monday night revealed the district will extend his contract for another two years effective Oct. 24.

Cruz has served as the superintendent since 2015 after Meria Carstarphen left the position for a job with the Atlanta Public School system, according to the Austin-American Statesman.

With the contract extension, Cruz will receive a four percent salary increase from $294,000 to $306,363.

According to AISD's website, under Cruz's leadership, graduation rates have reached an all-time high and students are performing better on the state's accountability test.

Cruz also helped implement and expand various projects at AISD that include efforts in creative learning, family resource centers, and Pre-K for 3-and 4-year-olds.

Prior to accepting the position as superintendent, Cruz served as an assistant or deputy superintendent in three other school districts. He also served as superintendent at the Laredo school district from 1998 to 2002, the Statesman reports.

Cruz's superintendent contract will be up for review again on Dec. 31, 2019.